Rabelo: A Sculptural Lounge Chair Inspired by Art Nouveau

Breaking Tradition with Organic Design

The Rabelo lounge chair is a unique piece that challenges the typical image of a chair. Inspired by the Belle Epoque period and the art nouveau style, designer Paulo Jorge Faias Pereira sought to bend wood in a way that mimics nature. The chair's feet are grounded to the floor like roots, while a stem curves and carries a leaf-shaped seat that provides ergonomic support.

The structure of the lounge chair is formed by solid wood pieces that are glued and reinforced, then worked and carved into a single piece. The seat is also made from a single piece of solid wood, shaped to fit perfectly within the column. This craftsmanship ensures durability and a visually striking design.

Using solid wood and internal metal parts for reinforcement, Rabelo is a testament to manual craftsmanship. The chair's dimensions are 495mm in width, 690mm in depth, and 940mm in height, making it a comfortable and stylish addition to any space.

The concept behind Rabelo was to deliberately unbalance the structure and concentrate tension in a single axis, creating a sculpture that arouses curiosity and serves as a decorative piece. The chair's aesthetic and decorative effect is achieved through its organic shape and unique design.

The Rabelo lounge chair project began in Lisbon in April 2016, starting with a small model and culminating in a full-scale prototype in July 2017. Throughout the design process, Paulo Jorge Faias Pereira drew inspiration from art nouveau, the architect Gaudi, and organic shapes. The final production was carried out by skilled Portuguese craftsmen, who passed down generations of wood knowledge.

Overcoming creative, technical, and research challenges, the Rabelo lounge chair's durable and safe structure is guaranteed by internal reinforcement and gluing with fittings made by experienced specialists. The result is an elegant and functional piece of furniture that seamlessly blends art and design.

Rabelo lounge chair is a sculptural gesture that showcases how wood, a natural material, can be transformed into a useful object while evoking nature itself. Its organic geometry, curves, and lightness create a sense of harmony and comfort, making it a pleasure to sit and relax in.

This design has been awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category in 2018. This prestigious accolade recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Rabelo's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contribute to a better world.